Seasons

(The). In art. The four seasons have often been
sculptured or painted by artists: POUSSIN drew his symbolic characters
from the Old Testament. Thus, Adam and Eve in Paradise represent
Spring; Ruth in the cornfields represents Summer; Joshua and Caleb
bringing grapes from the Land of Promise represent Autumn; and the
Deluge represents Winter.

The Ancient Greeks characterised Spring by Mercury, Summer by
Apollo, Autumn by Bacchus, and Winter by Hercules.

M. Girondet painted for the King of Spain four pictures, with
allegoric character, from the Herculaneum.